Rubashkin Revenge: Ethical Certificates at Center of Dispute

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on July 25, 2012

About eight months ago, when Katsuji Tanabe agreed to display the Tav HaYosher certificate in the window of his one-year-old restaurant on Pico Boulevard, the head chef and owner of Mexikosher knew that the “ethical seal,” issued by the Modern Orthodox social justice organization Uri L’Tzedek, would inform customers that he treats his workers with respect and in accordance with California labor laws.

50,000 sign pro-Rubashkin petition to White House

Published on October 24, 2011

An online petition in support of jailed kosher meat executive Sholom Rubashkin garnered 10 times its anticipated goal of 5,000 signatures.

Even after Agriprocessor scandal, inhumane methods still used in kosher slaughtering overseas

Published on October 13, 2011

Agriprocessors’ 2008 kosher slaughter scandal provoked solemn vows of reform among producers of glatt kosher meat in the U.S. But despite some industry improvements, America’s leading kosher certification authority continues to authorize the sale of millions of pounds of glatt kosher beef slaughtered by means that animal welfare experts condemn as inhumane, a Forward investigation has found.

Agriprocessors’ Rubashkin denied new trial


Published on September 21, 2011

Former Agriprocessors executive Sholom Rubashkin was denied a new trial by a U.S. appeals court.


Rubashkin appeal seeks new trial

Published on January 4, 2011

Lawyers for convicted former Agriprocessors executive Sholom Rubashkin have appealed a judge's decision denying their bid for a new trial. In a brief filed Monday with the U.S. Court of Appeals in St. Louis, Mo., lawyers for Rubashkin made four arguments on his behalf, chief among them that the presiding judge in his case, Linda Reade, should have recused herself. Reade had rejected that argument in October. Rubashkin was convicted in 2009 on 86 counts of fraud related to his management of the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, and later was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison.

Rubashkin family members fined $2 million

Published on December 19, 2010

Members of the Rubashkin family, who operated the now-defunct Agriprocessers kosher meatpacking plant, must pay a total of more than $2 million after defaulting on loans.

Op-Ed: Prosecution was overzealous in Rubashkin case

Published on June 28, 2010

The unusually severe sentence of 27 years in prison for Sholom Rubashkin is a victory for a prosecution that from the outset pursued a win-at-all-costs strategy. But the success comes at a price, and not just to the 51-year-old man now facing a virtual life sentence, his wife and 10 children. The government’s handling of this case has sullied our justice system.

Rubashkin: L.A. Rally Protests 27-Year Sentence

By Ryan Torok
Published on June 22, 2010

The announcement this week that Sholom Rubashkin had been sentenced to 27 years in prison for fraud prompted the Los Angeles Orthodox community to rally together Monday evening in support of Rubashkin, his family and the expected legal appeal of what many feel is a disproportionate punishment for a white-collar crime.

Rubashkin sentenced to 27 years

Published on June 21, 2010

Kosher meatpacking executive Sholom Rubashkin was sentenced to 27 years in a federal prison for his conviction on federal financial fraud charges.

Rubashkin acquitted in child labor case

Published on June 8, 2010

Kosher meatpacking executive Sholom Rubashkin was acquitted in an Iowa state court of child labor violations.

Rubashkin: I should not have entered the family business

Published on May 3, 2010

With a federal judge expected to issue a sentence in his case later this month, a former kosher meatpacking executive expressed regret for his actions -- and entering the family business.

The two-day sentencing hearing in the financial fraud conviction of ex-Agriprocessors official Sholom Rubashkin was held last week in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Linda Reade reportedly indicated that she will issue her ruling May 27.

Rubashkin sentencing hearing moves into second day

Published on April 29, 2010

A federal judge is expected to issue a judgment in the sentencing of a former kosher meatpacking executive in three to four weeks.

Former attorneys general request leniency for Rubashkin

Published on April 27, 2010

Six former U.S. attorneys general have criticized prosecutors' recommendation that a kosher meatpacking plant executive receive life in prison for bank fraud.

Justice Dept. again won’t intervene in Rubashkin case

Published on April 21, 2010

The U.S. Department of Justice again has declined to intervene in the sentencing of a convicted kosher meat executive.

Kosherfest 2008 is heaven on earth for foodies

Published on December 3, 2008

Each year Kosherfest organizers hold a competition for the best new kosher-certified products. This year, Zelda's Sweet Shoppe of Skokie, Ill., took top honors with a "Southern Pecan Pie."

Postville Jewish community struggles to survive after raid

By Ben Harris
Published on November 24, 2008

After former Agriprocessors executive Sholom Rubashkin was arrested earlier this month, Rashi Raices joined several dozen members of this town's Jewish community in volunteering the equity on their homes to guarantee his return to face trial.

Agriprocessors closed—now where’s the beef?

By Ben Harris
Published on November 20, 2008

The kosher meat market is in a tailspin as production at the Agriprocessors' meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, which had been operating at a fraction of its normal capacity since May, finally ground to a halt this week. The company, whose meat was sold under the labels Rubashkin's and Aaron's Best, among others, filed for bankruptcy Nov. 4.

Troubles at meat plants prompt increased fear of kosher beef shortages

By Ben Harris
Published on November 7, 2008

With the kosher meat producer Agriprocessors facing mounting financial problems, and a fire-related shutdown at another major kosher producer, industry insiders say major supply disruptions are inevitable and kosher consumers should brace themselves for some rough times

Rubashkin son arrested, Agriprocessors fined $10 million in kosher slaughterhouse probe

Published on October 30, 2008

Sholom Rubashkin. son of Agriprocessors founder Aaron Rubashkin, was arrested by immigration officials and was due to appear in federal court today.

L.A. Orthodox rabbis want business ethics to be kosher, too

By Julie G Fax
Published on October 16, 2008

Seeking to accentuate Jewish traditions that place a premium on ethical integrity, Los Angeles Orthodox rabbis are encouraging local businesses to sign up for a new seal of certification that ensures employers are treating workers fairly and humanely

Agriprocessors names new CEO

Published on September 23, 2008

The hiring of Bernard Feldman of Long Island as the kosher meat producer's new chief executive keeps the company in the good graces of the Orthodox Union, which said last week it would withdraw its kosher supervision if new management wasn't hired within two weeks.

PETA hidden camera exposé costs Agriprocessors support of key expert [VIDEO]

By Ben Harris
Published on September 17, 2008

Animal welfare expert Temple Grandin accused kosher slaughterer Agriprocessors of putting on a "show" for visitors

Iowa files 9000 charges against Agriprocessors, OU threatens to remove Kosher cert

Published on September 9, 2008

Following the filing of criminal charges against owners of the kosher meat producer Agriprocessors, the Orthodox Union says it will withdraw its kosher certification of the company within two weeks unless new management is hired.

PETA says Agriprocessors misled rabbis about slaughter procedures [VIDEO]

By Ben Harris
Published on September 5, 2008

An undercover video shot at the Agriprocessors kosher meat plant is prompting new claims that the company engages in inhumane slaughter and misled Orthodox rabbis who visited the plant in July.

Agriprocessors rebukes Obama, Israel sends flood aid to Ukraine

Published on August 28, 2008

Nathan Lewin, who is representing the largest kosher meat producer in the United States, in a statement released early Tuesday wondered whether Barack Obama had weighed the evidence in the case or considered the company's repeated denials.

Eating Bambi, Zell again, Bergson, broken heart

Published on August 14, 2008

" . . . Isn't it time that every Jewish child take at least one course in Herzl? If he isn't the modern father of the Jewish People, who is? For without Herzl's many contributions, the Holocaust would have excluded any chance of a Jewish state in Israel . . ."

Eating Bambi (recipe included)

By Rob Eshman
Published on August 6, 2008

Most of the anti-Semitic mail I get these days doesn't concern Israel, Hollywood or even the threat of a nuclear war in the Middle East -- it's about meat.

Iowa Labor Commissioner prosecutes Agriprocessors on 57 counts

Published on August 5, 2008

The Iowa Labor Commissioner's Office has sent dozens of alleged violations against Agriprocessors to the state attorney general for prosecution

Agriprocessors tries to clean up its act

By Sue Fishkoff
Published on August 5, 2008

Nearly three months after a federal raid and six weeks before the busy High Holidays season, a tour of Agriprocessors shows the company is attracting new workers and trying to clean up its act

Orthodox rabbis: Agriprocessors Iowa kosher plant passes muster

By Ben Harris
Published on August 5, 2008

A group of Orthodox rabbis gave Agriprocessors a clean bill of health after a visit sponsored by the owners of the embattled kosher meat-packing plant

Conservatives release guidelines for ethical kashrut certification

By Ben Harris
Published on August 4, 2008

The Conservative movement released a policy statement and guidelines for its much-anticipated ethical kashrut certification, outlining the social justice standards companies are expected to meet if their foodstuffs are to qualify for the designation

Agriprocessors raid slammed at Congressional hearings

By Ben Harris
Published on July 29, 2008

Witnesses at recent congressional hearings described the federal immigration raid on the country's largest kosher plant as a travesty of justice, a national disgrace and an ambush

Demonstrators march in Iowa to support Agriprocessors workers

Published on July 28, 2008

More than 900 people, mainly Jews and Catholics, called for immigration reform Sunday and urged support for the nearly 400 undocumented workers arrested in the immigration raid two months ago at Agriprocessors, the nation’s largest kosher meat plant

Agriprocessors raid fallout continues: Jewish liberals plan rally in Postville

By Ben Harris
Published on July 22, 2008

An interfaith coalition -- organized by a Jewish group -- is planning to demonstrate next week in Postville, Iowa, in support of justice for workers and comprehensive immigration reform.

Briefs: Comedy writer Ross endows UCLA Yiddish chair, Hadassah official focuses on fundraising

Published on July 16, 2008

Veteran comedy writer and producer Michael "Mickey" Ross has donated $4 million to endow an academic chair in Yiddish language and culture at UCLA.

Agriprocessors takes aim at government, gets boost as group drops boycott

By Ben Harris
Published on July 9, 2008

An Orthodox social justice group dropped its boycott of the embattled kosher meat producer Agriprocessors, saying the company is "beginning to take significant steps" to address claims of worker mistreatment at its plant in Postville, Iowa.

Agriprocessors turns to homeless for help

By Ben Harris
Published on June 20, 2008

In an effort to restore lagging production at its Postville, Iowa plant, the country's largest kosher meat producer has been hiring workers from homeless shelters in Texas to replace employees detained in a massive federal immigration raid last month.

After raid, kosher meat in short supply

By Sue Fishkoff
Published on June 6, 2008

This week, the production slow-down at the Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa, finally hit the nation's kosher markets and, by extension, kosher consumers

Rubashkin: It’s all a lie

By Ben Harris
Published on June 4, 2008

Speaking out for the first time, the owner of Agriprocessors was visibly angered by the flood of charges that have imperiled his business, the country's largest kosher slaughterhouse

Conservatives adopt ruling on living wage

By Ben Harris
Published on June 2, 2008

Just days after the Conservative movement became the only Jewish denomination to speak out against alleged worker abuse at the largest kosher slaughterhouse in the United States, the movement's legal authorities voted to recommend that Jewish businesses pay their employees a living wage.

Kosher slaughterhouse in Iowa dumps CEO

By Ben Harris
Published on May 28, 2008

Mounting pressure from Jewish groups and members of Congress has led the largest kosher slaughterhouse in the United States to start searching for a new CEO less than two weeks after federal agents arrested nearly 400 of its employees in a massive immigration raid